The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-20
TlIEY0UNGER BROTHER

"a guardianship! Well, it's no new
thing for me" added John Steele.
He placed tho letter on tho table. A
packet 10y thc,o also. After moment
he took this up and broke the aealiugwax
A package OF yellow paper foil into his
hand; closely united was also velvet
miniature case aud an old.iaehioned Eng.
iieh focket. lie turned the open face OF
the locket 10 the light.
1t was tho portrait OF Bert Vaue'n daugh.
ter, taken in her seventeenth year. Her
father had been John steele's schoolmste.
"Will you take my little girl into your
keepipg?"
Tie letter WIS., Bert Vsne's fiual act,
written in the last hour OF his life.
The child WAS in fchool in New Eng
land, and, after mature thought, John
Steele decided that abe had better stay
there Tor the present. He went to Europe
with his young G!ep-bso.hor Herbert and
was absent two years.
Leaving his stepbrother in Germany,
he returned 10 Lakehome. For months
he was much epgrossod in business; then
he found spare opportunity TO visit the
academy where Violet Was. The matron
received him with dignity.
| II should like to see The little GIRL" he
said.
Madame stared and withdrew, A few
moments and tho door swung open again.
A girl Of II, with clustering curls and the
trailing robes OF womanhood, swept softly
toward him. Helooked into the oval face,
chase as flower, and saw the iinaments
OF the child's portrait.
"But-" he stsmmered.
"iou thought l wus little girl, Mr..
Steele? No; papa thought me only child
when he died, but was 10.
She had o strange, sweet dignity. She
was utterly lovely: And John Steele WAS
strangely confused.
His swelling heart came to his throat,
Init the artless eyes, sweet as heavens
truth, met bis calmly.
II an 80 old and ugly, she does not
think that have heart" he thought,
the blood recedirS eeain and loerins sn
A hins vs'o on hLL suAldsan-tha. is
All Tmut. hUs fUrset."
1t wss DECIDED that she should 20 to
Lskehome. She stole quietly as q sun.
beam into her place AZ Lakehome. If
John but told the truth ne knew that he
should acknowledge himself her slave.
The weeks flew by-Chrstmas came.
The house WAS full OF coniny-emiling
mGtrore, gay girls, intulsent papas, favor.
ito sons and brothers. Il wgs happy
line. Alas! alas! that earthly happiness
is 80 ehoEt.
1t was Christmas eve, and in tho mids.
Of the msrsiest game John Steele fad lust
kiseed Violet urder the mis.letoe, when
the door SWING open, admitting new
arrival-a young man OF one and twenty,
handsome, healthy, debousir.
"Brother Johpw
"He-bert!"
1t WINS the young musician from Ger.
many. Fresh and ardent, he was one oil
them Immediately. In the confusion John
did not see tina. from the first he admired
Violet.
He had como and soon, aud he con.
que!ed. John observed, with Sharp sur.
prise, tho change in Violet. She was an.
other being to his younger brother to wha,
sDb Dau UteIl u lllul.
Tho holidays went by, tho house grew
vniet-tleshert sought an interview with
bio elder brother.
John listened quietly.
81 have expected this, Herbert. l will
talk with Violet"
"But you can give mo your consent"
~ Can say nothing now"
With look OF surprise Herbert with.
drew-went down the vide oak stair
crossed the terrace, Whaling.
John rang the study bell.
"Pompey, aek Misc Nane to CONC tc
me-"
ne trrned faint at the sound Of hnl
light step on the velvet oil the hall, ye!
fought oil the weakness successfully before
she came in. The patn remained but she
saw no sign O.! ii.
She wore dreEs CT blue, her bronze
curls clung about her shy face, her pei
greyhound CRliph followed close at hol
side. He motioned her gently to seat
For moment he did not opeak-he felt
tired with suffering.
Her dog which no bad given her,
crossed the room, and, laying his slender
head upon his knee, looked up wistiully
into hiG faco.
"What is all this Herbert tollg me
VioletY' with forced emile, n steady voice
ale han told your" with swift blush
"Told me what Violet? Come closer
little one, and let me look into your face
What could he tell mcp"
"That ~e love each other"
She WAS on her knees beside her chair
her blushing, bright features hidden OH
lis rhOulder. She could not Gee his face
liis face ?--no, all! no!
MY child, have you qnite given YOU
heart to this young brother OF mine &c
soon? Il il but u little while that you
= have known him"
utterly! A little while-but II seems
n long while TINT We have been together
| have hEen-l an 80 happy with him
guarGy"
"But you have been happy with me
have you not?
"Ah that Is different"
A iittIe eiGncc. iia quietly and forever
put away all hope.
"Yes, very different, my Violet. Kies
me, little one-0nly OnCH. There; Thanh
you, dear. Go now and say 10 lIorber
that give You to him, and 10 the lilo yor
have chosen, as his wife"
SheYlipped away like beam Of light
But Uaiph, for tho first time in his life
when permitted, did not follow her. Ii,
preHsed cloacr to Johns knee and uttered
pitilul whine. Gaining no attention, b,
joined tho silence Ct tho stately room
casing his troubled heart by tho employ
nent Of tapping up with his sloDde
tongue tho tu"h1 that foil or the ZELDA,